Richard Powers' latest book Playground, published in September 2024, has been longlisted for the Booker prize and shortlisted for the Kirkus prize. As with his other books, this is a complex, fascinating and thought-provoking read.
I always come away from his books inspired. His work prompts both investigative curiosity in ideas and philosophies, as well as reflection.
This quote by JP Carse is one of the central themes of the book:
“A finite game is played for the purpose of winning, an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play.”
This really resonated with me, reminding me that my life is not singularly meaningful, but part of the grand process of life. Our lives are not part of a "game" to be SOLVED, but a "game" to figure out how to keep playing and BEING - it is not to hoard, or win or dominate, but to survive to keep playing the game, to keep living and staying sane - exactly what I decided to do after the disastrous election results earlier this month.
This really resonated with me, reminding me that my life is not singularly meaningful, but part of the grand process of life. Our lives are not part of a "game" to be SOLVED, but a "game" to figure out how to keep playing and BEING - it is not to hoard, or win or dominate, but to survive to keep playing the game, to keep living and staying sane - exactly what I decided to do after the disastrous election results earlier this month.
What is also very striking to me about the concept of play as 'learning to be' is that my husband penned an essay in 1983, which he entitled "Playing is the Game," in which he put forward play as a means to learn and grow. He was ahead of his time!
Richard Powers is an intellectually powerful writer - well worth exploring, and highly recommended. I love his books.
